An 18-year-old member of the Navy from Seattle is facing domestic abuse charges after he allegedly raped and beat his girlfriend. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Michael Akerele of Oak Harbor was charged with domestic violence, domestic violence assault, and domestic violence unlawful imprisonment. He plead not guilty in an Island County Superior Courtroom.

He could face up to 17 months in prison if found guilty.

His 23-year-old girlfriend says that her partner became violent after he read her email account and Facebook account. He struck her, bit her, hit her with a broom, choked her, and threatened to drown her in a bathtub. At one point during the two-day incident, the woman agreed to have sex with him so that the beatings would stop.

When he was questioned by police, Akerele told authorities that he had been attacked by his girlfriend and had accidently struck her while trying to protect himself.